I’m not sure how to start this article. Well, actually I’m not even sure if I should tell the stories I went through the first month of DPA. I was so clueless, running here and there as I was trying to fit in the fast-paced and hectic life as a cadet of DPA. The people outside might get the wrong idea of me sharing these stories (lol). However, one thing is for sure. No one else other than the cadets get to experience and have the feeling of ‘enjoying the moment’ like we did. So many things going on in a day everyday!
For example, who would have thought after the first day of registration, the very next day, you’d have to ride a bus from KL all the way to Melaka for Group Integration! To be specific, it was at Kem Lambaian Danau Jasin, Melaka. I don’t know who said that we were going to be in a dormitory but that person was dead wrong. We had to set up camp right there and then on hard rocks. Of course at first almost all of us were shocked with the little comfort the camp had to offer but as the time went by, we were having lots of fun and beginning to feel close with the facilitators there especially the owner himself, Pak Let. Here are some pictures we had. The memories that could never be replaced in our entire life.
Here is Pak Let. He was showing his tough side at first but he was actually just a bundle of joy, bubbly person at heart. He was more like Big Daddy for the 345 of us cadets at the time. Definitely going to meet him again one day. 
His wife, Big Mom, cooked the best meals. Made our days here more fulfilling. Especially the stomachs. We had water confidence on the first day! A person like me who can’t swim was afraid like crazy going into the deep water. But the life jacket was a life savior. No pun intended. Anyone who’s anyone was able to enjoy and braved enough to weave through the waters after that day. As long as the orange vest was at sight. I have this friend, a guy, was scared of the waters more than anyone in the group. Our gang supported him by giving encouraging words with loud voices nonetheless.
And here is the reason we had that water confidence because the next day, we had water rafting! Not that we were thinking much of the deep waters since we were busy trying to win the race against all others. My group won by the way. Huzzah!
What is this you asked? Well, it’s just none other than mud-covered, egg-throwing, commando-style battle! For your information, our side of the group won this too. Not to brag or anything. Just a fact…
Not forgetting the macho-controlled, cool facilitators and the whole gang of DPA 2019.
You thought that was the end of DPA? Those were just the first three days, my friends. Barely a week! After the third day in Jasin, we all headed back to INTAN and readied ourselves for the days before the weekends. The two days was mostly about the whereabouts and the introduction of all the staffs of INTAN including the rules and regulations within the ‘Minggu Bina Sahsiah’ programme.
The next week, the cadets have started their respective modules. Since I’m from Sidang 1, my group started the week off with ‘Pengurusan Majlis’ module at the auditorium. We had lots of speakers attended for this module. Not just any speakers mind you. They were the glamorous people in the government services that we as cadets looked up to. I won’t bore you with the details of the speeches. I’ll instead show some pictures of the respectable guests. 
This is Encik Mohd Hanafiah bin Moktar. He’s the Assistant Secretary Chief of BIUPA. He told his experiences handling formal ceremonies even international ones. There were lots of jokes and definitely some interesting lessons on how to handle situations or problems occurred during the ceremonies with thousands of important people attending. Let’s just say it was his advice on little tricks and hacks when facing the moments.
Another adoring speaker is Encik Sophian bin Ab Rahman. A little tidbit on his life story. He was an English teacher, then a lecturer and after that the Assistant Director of Matriculation Division of the Ministry of Education Malaysia. That’s not all. He then started his PTD career in 2007 and became the program coordinator of DPA before becoming ‘Ketua Unit Perhubungan Antarabangsa’ at DBKL and finally as a ceremonial officer of ‘Istana Negara’. 
He gave a talk on how ceremonies at Royal level were conducted with his high charisma and deep soothing voice. Many of my friends including the males were attracted to him no less. He has his way mesmerizing the audience and I’m sure all cadets would agree on this. He was surely the idol of most cadets.
Not forgetting the speakers from INTAN itself, Puan Suzana binti Ibrahim and Puan Halida binti Burkhan. They thought us on how to be excellent liaison officers, ushers as well as on social etiquettes and dining etiquettes. I personally like the dining etiquette most. Real food was involved.
Actually the big event in this module is the appearance of our beloved INTAN Director Dato’ Suriani Dato’ Ahmad in the Appreciation Ceremony on Thursday 17th of January 2019. Every Sidang was involved and we had a meaningful interaction with Dato’ about her experiences and life lessons on being a cadet. The most influential phrase was “Be positive!” in everything. With those words, I really did and always try to see the bright side of things no matter what situations I’m in. God willing. Here’s one memorable picture of the occasion.
What you’ve seen are not the only ones that we did. Right, cadets? The pictures below show more on what we usually do every week. Here is our morning assembly. We usually do this on Mondays but it can be on Tuesdays if there’s something stopping it from happening on Mondays. It’s to give chances to cadets to do some public speaking and also some room for the MPPs to give announcements or memos for the week.
We not only train our minds but also our bodies to keep up with the pace of being a PTD cadet. Physical trainings are always on Mondays and Wednesdays. Most cadets including myself were appalled at this but we learnt to get by and just enjoy the trainings. It is a chance to get active with everyone anyway. Cheers!
Other things that happened during my days here in INTAN mostly on modules that every Sidang had to take separately. However, I guess some things are the same between the groups. Here’s a few. 
As you can see, DPA cadets might have to go through lots of stuff everyday but as long as we keep it together and remember the ones we love, every minute, every second, would be a time we would always cherish and never forget. Last piece of experience sharing, I’m riding a bus at 6.30am to go to class. That’s PTD cadet life for you. Bye!
